Western Conference predictions

[-Luke-]

1. Jazz
2. Suns
3. Lakers
4. Mavs
5. Warriors
6. Nuggets
7. Clippers
8. Blazers
9. Pelicans
10. Grizzlies
11. Spurs
12. Wolves
13. Kings
14. Rockets
15. OKC

Lakers are probaly the favorite the win the WC Finals for me, but I see the Jazz and Suns better in the regular season. I feel a bit bad about the Nuggets pick, but that's the West. Blazers are hard to predict.

[FinnTheHuman]

1. Jazz
2. Suns
3. Lakers
4. Mavs
5. Warriors
6. Nuggets
7. Clippers
8. Blazers
9. Pelicans
10. Grizzlies
11. Spurs
12. Wolves
13. Kings
14. Rockets
15. OKC

Lakers are probaly the favorite the win the WC Finals for me, but I see the Jazz and Suns better in the regular season. I feel a bit bad about the Nuggets pick, but that's the West. Blazers are hard to predict.

I don't get the rationale behind Mavs and Warriors improving this much in the RS compared to last year.

What did Warriors improve on? Klay is gonna have negative impact for like the 1st half of the season or even more, just like many stars coming off the 1-2 year absence did in the past. And then you have 2 rookies that are also gonna have negative impact on winning for at least half the season too, if not whole. Is the Bjelica acquisition the X factor you had in mind?

And how did Mavs improve exactly? Reggie Bullock instead of JRich is that meaningful?

No, my dude, Nuggets are better than those 2 teams, they have continuity and a proven recipe for winning a lot of RS games. They're no worse than top 4 this year barring Jokic's health.

[-Luke-]

@FinnTheHuman:
You do make some good points and I definitely don't feel that good about 4-8. I see the those teams pretty close together.

For the Warriors I factored in some kind of trade that sends away some of their young and inexperienced guys for some good help. If that doesn't happen I would probably have them a little lower. I think Draymond will make a step forward now that they have a relevant team. I also think they were too low in last seasons standing because of the Wiseman experiment. I agree with you on Klay.

For the Mavs I see Luka making another step and being in the MVP conversation. Not much else to be honest. But I had them higher last season as well.

If it's Nuggets at 3 and Mavs/Warriors at 7/8 in the end I wouldn't be surprised.

[Vidaldo]

What did Warriors improve on? Klay is gonna have negative impact for like the 1st half of the season or even more, just like many stars coming off the 1-2 year absence did in the past. And then you have 2 rookies that are also gonna have negative impact on winning for at least half the season too, if not whole. Is the Bjelica acquisition the X factor you had in mind?

They also got Otto Porter Jr, who should finally be healthy again. Iggy as a 'motivator' from the bench. Wiseman & Poole should be improved. I think they have a good 10-12 man rotation, with less problems than last season. 5 spot may be a reach, but definitely a playoff team.

[FinnTheHuman]

What did Warriors improve on? Klay is gonna have negative impact for like the 1st half of the season or even more, just like many stars coming off the 1-2 year absence did in the past. And then you have 2 rookies that are also gonna have negative impact on winning for at least half the season too, if not whole. Is the Bjelica acquisition the X factor you had in mind?

They also got Otto Porter Jr, who should finally be healthy again. Iggy as a 'motivator' from the bench. Wiseman & Poole should be improved. I think they have a good 10-12 man rotation, with less problems than last season. 5 spot may be a reach, but definitely a playoff team.

I didn't say they weren't a playoff team, don't get me wrong. I'd agree they've improved once everybody is healthy and in their NBA-level form, but that's probably not happening before the ASB. That's why I just don't see them above Nuggets, but somewhere between 6 and 8 seed.

[Statlanta]

1. Jazz- better bench
2. Suns- internal improvements
3. Lakers- better injury luck worse defense
4. Mavs- internal improvements
5. Nuggets- Murray leads playoff push
6. Clippers- Others are accustomed to load management
7. Warriors- Klay is off but young guys are better this year
8. Blazers- fall off season
9. Pelicans- no coach/scheme consistency
10. Grizzlies- lost best player
11. Kings- Growing Pains
12. Wolves- Healthy but still too young
13. Spurs- No vet leaders
14. Rockets- Too Young
15. OKC- Too young probably will tank

[Impuniti]

What did Warriors improve on? Klay is gonna have negative impact for like the 1st half of the season or even more, just like many stars coming off the 1-2 year absence did in the past. And then you have 2 rookies that are also gonna have negative impact on winning for at least half the season too, if not whole. Is the Bjelica acquisition the X factor you had in mind?

They also got Otto Porter Jr, who should finally be healthy again. Iggy as a 'motivator' from the bench. Wiseman & Poole should be improved. I think they have a good 10-12 man rotation, with less problems than last season. 5 spot may be a reach, but definitely a playoff team.

I didn't say they weren't a playoff team, don't get me wrong. I'd agree they've improved once everybody is healthy and in their NBA-level form, but that's probably not happening before the ASB. That's why I just don't see them above Nuggets, but somewhere between 6 and 8 seed.

The Warriors were a 5-6 seed team when Curry played (he got injured for 2 weeks when the freefall happened).

[FinnTheHuman]

They also got Otto Porter Jr, who should finally be healthy again. Iggy as a 'motivator' from the bench. Wiseman & Poole should be improved. I think they have a good 10-12 man rotation, with less problems than last season. 5 spot may be a reach, but definitely a playoff team.

I didn't say they weren't a playoff team, don't get me wrong. I'd agree they've improved once everybody is healthy and in their NBA-level form, but that's probably not happening before the ASB. That's why I just don't see them above Nuggets, but somewhere between 6 and 8 seed.

The Warriors were a 5-6 seed team when Curry played (he got injured for 2 weeks when the freefall happened).

And you expect Curry not to miss any games this year, eh? Draymond too? Even then, guys in the rotation will have more negative impact than less talented, but healthy guys from last year. Count on guys who played zero to little NBA basketball for the last couple of years to play some losing basketball before they get back into the groove, and that's Klay, Otto Porter Jr, rookies, Wiseman. Mediocre guys like Oubre or Bazemore have more positive impact on winning than more talented guys who require time to find their groove. This is simply realistic.

[Impuniti]

I didn't say they weren't a playoff team, don't get me wrong. I'd agree they've improved once everybody is healthy and in their NBA-level form, but that's probably not happening before the ASB. That's why I just don't see them above Nuggets, but somewhere between 6 and 8 seed.

The Warriors were a 5-6 seed team when Curry played (he got injured for 2 weeks when the freefall happened).

And you expect Curry not to miss any games this year, eh? Draymond too? Even then, guys in the rotation will have more negative impact than less talented, but healthy guys from last year. Count on guys who played zero to little NBA basketball for the last couple of years to play some losing basketball before they get back into the groove, and that's Klay, Otto Porter Jr, rookies, Wiseman. Mediocre guys like Oubre or Bazemore have more positive impact on winning than more talented guys who require time to find their groove. This is simply realistic.

Oubre along with Wiseman were two players that completely ruined anything good about the Warriors last season. It's pretty clear you haven't watched the team play if you think Kelly had positive impact on winning. Warriors had a lot of bad injuries last season. 3 players got hurt and missed of the season, 2 others missed the last 1/3rd (which turned better than worse due to their impact). That left 7 usable players 1 on rotation because the other 2-3 guys were just filler.

Baze definitely played a role, especially during the end of the season run.


Anyway, I don't have to convince you of anything. If the Warriors don't have horrible injuries again this season, they will do the talking for themselves.

[jacoby1us]

#1 Jazz
#2 Suns
#3 Warriors
#4 Lakers
#5 Nuggets
#6 Mavericks
#7 Blazers
#8 Grizzlies

[xinxin]

regular season:

1. Jazz
2. Warriors
3. Nuggets
4. Suns
5. Lakers
6. Mavericks
7. Blazers
8. Clippers
9. Grizzlies

WCF-

Lakers - Jazz. but i wouldnt be surprised if any of the Jazz, Suns, Nuggets and Warriors come out of the west.

[monopoman]

1. NBA darlings the lovable Phoenix Suns. What a fine collection of young men assembled by one of the best run organizations in the league. Easily the NBA's most dedicated and classiest fanbase too. After a dominant 12-4 run through the western conference, an improved roster, and the internal development of its young core, the mighty Suns should be shining even brighter this year. For fans of basketball played at its purest form, be sure to check out the Phoenix Suns this year. A sight to behold and a delight to the senses!
2. Jazz. Improved an already solid roster. I think Gobert will respond well to struggling against the Clippers' small ball lineup last year.
3. Denver. Young team with lots of potential. Solid core around Jokic, Murray and MPjr.
4. Mavericks. Luka alone is enough to have this team playing in the 4-6 range.
5. The Memphis Grizzlies. Will improve due to their young core getting better. Didn't like their offseason moves, but Adams will still look good on this team.
6. Those pesky Los Angeles Clippers. Had a solid offseason bringing back Reggie Jackson (I thought for sure he would be gone). Would have been higher if it wasn't for the Leonard injury.
7. Golden State Warriors. IMO this team should have gone all in trading away the picks they got from Minny for proven contributors. That being said, if steph and klay can stay healthy this team will be dangerous.
8. Defending play-in champions the Los Angeles Lakers. Will they repeat as play-in champs? That's yet to be seen as they'll face fierce competition from the pelicans and wolves - two teams loaded with young talent going up against the aging and rapidly declining Lakers.
----
9. The Pelicans
10. The Wolves
11. Kings
12. Blazers
13. Spurs
14. Rockets
15. Thunder.

I can't imagine how bad your ratings are when you think the Grizz are going to be 5th and the Blazers 12th. Betting against Dame on missing the playoffs is a bad thing to do, unless you think Dame is leaving.

At full strength Blazers > Grizz.

Dame has missed the playoffs once in his career and it was when he was a rookie.

[Mr Puddles]

1. NBA darlings the lovable Phoenix Suns. What a fine collection of young men assembled by one of the best run organizations in the league. Easily the NBA's most dedicated and classiest fanbase too. After a dominant 12-4 run through the western conference, an improved roster, and the internal development of its young core, the mighty Suns should be shining even brighter this year. For fans of basketball played at its purest form, be sure to check out the Phoenix Suns this year. A sight to behold and a delight to the senses!
2. Jazz. Improved an already solid roster. I think Gobert will respond well to struggling against the Clippers' small ball lineup last year.
3. Denver. Young team with lots of potential. Solid core around Jokic, Murray and MPjr.
4. Mavericks. Luka alone is enough to have this team playing in the 4-6 range.
5. The Memphis Grizzlies. Will improve due to their young core getting better. Didn't like their offseason moves, but Adams will still look good on this team.
6. Those pesky Los Angeles Clippers. Had a solid offseason bringing back Reggie Jackson (I thought for sure he would be gone). Would have been higher if it wasn't for the Leonard injury.
7. Golden State Warriors. IMO this team should have gone all in trading away the picks they got from Minny for proven contributors. That being said, if steph and klay can stay healthy this team will be dangerous.
8. Defending play-in champions the Los Angeles Lakers. Will they repeat as play-in champs? That's yet to be seen as they'll face fierce competition from the pelicans and wolves - two teams loaded with young talent going up against the aging and rapidly declining Lakers.
----
9. The Pelicans
10. The Wolves
11. Kings
12. Blazers
13. Spurs
14. Rockets
15. Thunder.

I can't imagine how bad your ratings are when you think the Grizz are going to be 5th and the Blazers 12th. Betting against Dame on missing the playoffs is a bad thing to do, unless you think Dame is leaving.

At full strength Blazers > Grizz.

Dame has missed the playoffs once in his career and it was when he was a rookie.

I anticipate that Dame will be traded at one point and that the Blazers will hit the reset button - should have clarified that. They're the toughest team to predict IMO because the organization is somewhat in turmoil. If Lillard is still with the team this upcoming season, I could see the Blazers moving to the 7th-8th seed, pushing the Warriors/ Lakers down a spot.

I don't see the Blazers being better than the Grizzlies next season though, they're trending in the right direction and should improve simply by keeping their young core together for another season, also I'm anticipating JJJ having a breakthrough year. Both teams finished pretty close to each other record-wise last year, at full strength I have the Grizzlies as better than the Blazers.

Anyway, these are just predictions, everyone will have their own take on this.

[iamworthy]

If the wolves pull off the Ben Simmons trade they're in the mix for 8th seed.

[NPZ]

If no major injuries to Brawn/AD = Lakers could vie for 1. Prolly gonna be one or two tho. I don't think they need 1st long as they are healthy in the playoffs (not like last year). A 3rd seed last year w/ full health would've made a lot of difference.

Other hand, teams like Jazz and Suns that play hard all season and get 1 w/o winning a chip often don't repeat it another year. I think it's more likely the Lakers get 1st than the Suns are able to repeat the success of last year with the rest of the league now KNOWING they're not pushovers. Every opp of theirs will know for certain they can lose to PHX, so they up their effort level by and large over 29 teams and 82 games. Entirely different ballgame than sneaking up on the league. And CP is injury prone, too. And old, too.

[NPZ]

If the wolves pull off the Ben Simmons trade they're in the mix for 8th seed.

You mean they're gonna push our Lakers to 9? DAMNIT TO HELL!

[jehosafats]

LAL all day

I can see Utah doing something in the regular season, but they always sputter come playoff time. Phoenix is fun to watch and all, but they have very questionable defense, plus they underperform against bad teams. It's the Lakers to lose.

[iamworthy]

If the wolves pull off the Ben Simmons trade they're in the mix for 8th seed.

You mean they're gonna push our Lakers to 9? DAMNIT TO HELL!

[OkcSinceSGA]

Hmm. Not off to a good start for most predictions.

[Impuniti]

The Warriors were a 5-6 seed team when Curry played (he got injured for 2 weeks when the freefall happened).

And you expect Curry not to miss any games this year, eh? Draymond too? Even then, guys in the rotation will have more negative impact than less talented, but healthy guys from last year. Count on guys who played zero to little NBA basketball for the last couple of years to play some losing basketball before they get back into the groove, and that's Klay, Otto Porter Jr, rookies, Wiseman. Mediocre guys like Oubre or Bazemore have more positive impact on winning than more talented guys who require time to find their groove. This is simply realistic.

Oubre along with Wiseman were two players that completely ruined anything good about the Warriors last season. It's pretty clear you haven't watched the team play if you think Kelly had positive impact on winning. Warriors had a lot of bad injuries last season. 3 players got hurt and missed of the season, 2 others missed the last 1/3rd (which turned better than worse due to their impact). That left 7 usable players 1 on rotation because the other 2-3 guys were just filler.

Baze definitely played a role, especially during the end of the season run.


Anyway, I don't have to convince you of anything. If the Warriors don't have horrible injuries again this season, they will do the talking for themselves.